Israeli Delegation to Visit UAE Amid Investigation of Flydubai Attack

Tel Aviv, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : A delegation from Israel’s Ministry of Transport is set to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday to review security measures and investigate an attack on a Flydubai flight that occurred in September. The team will engage with local security and aviation authorities in Dubai. Discussions will also cover the possibility of resuming international flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Leading the delegation is Moshe Ben Zaken, the Director General of the Transport Ministry. They aim to gather information related to the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which took place on September 30. Following their meetings, the delegation will convene with senior officials at Dubai International Airport.

According to Channel 13, a key topic of discussion will be the preparation to reopen the Tel Aviv-Dubai route for international airlines. The potential for Israeli airlines to resume flights to the UAE will also be considered.

After the delegation’s visit, the Israeli Ministry of Transport will decide whether to permit Flydubai to resume flights to Israel. The airline’s services to Israel were suspended following the serious security incident.

On September 30, the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, Hamam Al-Hamami from Oman, attacked the captain, Smita Machhar, who is of Indian descent, in an attempt to take control of the aircraft. The co-pilot struck the captain on the back of the head, causing severe injuries.

During the incident, the aircraft descended thousands of feet. Some Israeli passengers managed to enter the cockpit and subdue the attacking co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots on board then took control of the plane, successfully executing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers were later transferred to another aircraft for their return to Tel Aviv.